The Handsworth Drama and Theatre courses foster community‐building, personal and social awareness, agency, and excellence in stage and film production. Students develop their performance, production, and leadership skills as ways to discover their potential as creators and storytellers. Throughout the school year, students will have the opportunities to workshop, create, design, rehearse, perform, and present in the Handsworth Theatre space. All Drama 9‐12 course options are summarized in the chart below. 

In Drama, students will participate in drama games, scene work, and dance/movement routines. In a supportive and respectful environment, students perform a wide variety of characters in front of peers in order to build their confidence and public speaking skills. The core focus of this course is engaging as a collaborative ensemble and supportive audience.

Drama 9: Introduction to Stage 9 (Acting and Tech)

This course is an introduction to stage and performance course, which aims to develop teamwork skills, confidence, and creativity. Students will engage in drama games, staging exercises, tech activities, vocal and physical warm ups, character-development, play-building, play analysis, and social justice scene explorations. The core focus of this course is giving and receiving positive and constructive feedback, problem solving, and strengthening collaboration and communication skills. Students will explore and perform scripted scenes, and original ensemble creations. Students will have an opportunity to perform and/or to serve as Techies at Handsworth Theatre. Everyone is welcome in Drama 9!

Drama 9: Musical Theatre

Musical Theatre 9 is an introductory performance course, which aims to develop teamwork skills, build confidence, and boost creativity. Students will engage in theatre games, vocal and physical warm-ups, musical theatre workshops, and musical performances. This course explores acting, singing, and movement. Students will study the history of the genre, study iconic musicals, and participate in both solo and ensemble performances. Students will have an opportunity to perform musical scenes for live evening audiences at Handsworth Theatre.  Everyone is welcome to Musical Theatre 9.

Drama 9: Improvisation 9 

Improvisation 9 is an introductory performance course, which aims to develop teamwork skills, confidence, and creativity. Students will engage in drama games, vocal and physical warm ups, and character-development exercises. The core focus of this course is giving and receiving positive and constructive feedback, problem solving, and strengthening collaboration and communication skills. Students will explore and develop improvisation skills, and they will share and perform non-scripted scenes, and original ensemble creations. Students will have an opportunity to perform at Handsworth Theatre. Everyone is welcome to Improvisation 9. 

Drama 10: Acting Theatre Company 10

Acting Theatre Company 10 is an exploratory performance course, which aims to develop teamwork skills, confidence, and creativity. Students engage in a wide range of acting exercises, body and voice training, experimental character development work, script analysis work, and scene and monologue performances. The core aim of the course is for actors to take performance risks, to perform characters authentically, and to create original materials through researching social issues. Students will have several opportunities to perform at Handsworth Theatre, such as two person scenes, monologues, original collective scene creations, and the annual mainstage play. Everyone is welcome in Drama 10!

Drama 10: Musical Theatre 10 

Musical Theatre 10 is an exploratory performance course, which aims to develop teamwork skills, build confidence, and boost creativity. This course is the opportunity for students to explore their passion for putting it all together: singing, acting, and movement. Working with song, text and choreography from contemporary musical theatre, students will perform in a variety of pieces appropriate for their age and ability. The focus is working collectively as an ensemble towards a musical production or revue. There will be several optional field trips to professional musical theatre productions, and guest speakers from the industry (actors, singers, directors, or choreographers). Everyone is welcome to Musical Theatre 10.

Drama 10: Improvisation 10 

Improvisation 10 is an exploratory performance course, which aims for students to develop teamwork skills, confidence, and creativity. In this course students rely solely on their body and voice, work as a team, and act out vivid characters and engaging stories. Students engage in drama games, vocal and physical warm ups, and character-development exercises. The focus of this course is giving and receiving positive and constructive feedback, problem solving, and strengthening collaboration and communication skills. Students explore and develop improvisation skills and share and perform non-scripted scenes, and original ensemble creations. Students will have an opportunity to perform presentations at Handsworth Theatre. Everyone is welcome to Improvisation 10.

Theatre Production 10: Tech 10

Tech 10 students are members of the Handsworth Theatre Tech Team. This course is an introduction to stagecraft, which may include theatre history, stages, rigging, sound, make-up, costumes, props, set construction, and lighting. Much of the course is laboratory in nature, which allows students to develop and to apply the practical skills of stagecraft. Students in this course must be able to work independently on the technical components related to the school productions and events at Handsworth Theatre. Students are required to be available for regular out-of-class and evening rehearsals and performances.  Due to the independent and time-intensive natures of this course, students are required to meet with the instructor beforehand to register for this course. 

Prerequisite: Interview with the Instructor (See David Beare for an interview).

Drama 11: Acting Theatre Company 11

Acting Theatre Company 11 expands on the skills developed in Drama 10. Students continue to be engaged in a wide range of acting exercises, body and voice training, experimental character development work, script analysis work, and scene and monologue performances. The core aim of the course is for actors to take performance risks, to perform characters authentically, and to create original materials through researching social issues. Students will have several opportunities to perform at Handsworth Theatre, such as two person scenes, monologues, original collective scene creations, and the annual mainstage play.  

Drama 11: Musical Theatre 11

Musical Theatre 11 is an immersive performance course, which aims to develop teamwork skills, build confidence, and boost creativity. This course is the opportunity for students to explore their passion for putting it all together: singing, acting, and movement. Working with song, text and choreography from contemporary musical theatre, students will perform in a variety of pieces appropriate for their age and ability. The focus is working collectively as an ensemble towards a musical production or revue. There will be several optional field trips to professional musical theatre productions, and guest speakers from the industry (actors, singers, directors, or choreographers). Everyone is welcome to Musical Theatre 11.

Drama 11: Improvisation 11

Improvisation 11 is an extending performance course, which aims for students to develop teamwork skills, confidence, and creativity. In this course students rely solely on their body and voice, work as a team, and act out vivid characters and engaging stories. Students engage in drama games, vocal and physical warm ups, and character-development exercises. The focus of this course is giving and receiving positive and constructive feedback, problem solving, and strengthening collaboration and communication skills. Students explore and develop improvisation skills and share and perform non-scripted scenes, and original ensemble creations. Students will have an opportunity to perform presentations at Handsworth Theatre. Everyone is welcome to Improvisation 11.

Theatre Production 11: Tech Team  

Tech 11 students are members of the Handsworth Theatre Tech Team. Theatre Production 11 is a continuation of Theatre Production 10. This course is an exploration of stagecraft, which may include theatre history, stages, rigging, sound, make-up, costumes, props, set construction, and lighting. Much of the course is laboratory in nature, which allows students to develop and to apply the practical skills of stagecraft. Students in this course must be able to work independently on the technical components related to the school productions and events at Handsworth Theatre. Students are required to be available for regular out-of-class and evening rehearsals and performances.  Due to the independent and time-intensive nature of this course, students are required to meet with the instructor beforehand to register for this course. Due to the independent and time-intensive natures of this course, new students who have not taken Theatre Production 10 are required to meet with the instructor beforehand to register for this course. Prerequisite: Interview with the Instructor (See David Beare for an interview).

Drama 11: Leadership With Diverse Learners 11

The drama program is looking for natural leaders who are interested in working with diverse learners. This is NOT an acting course -- NO drama or acting experience is required. This is a PASSION course for school leaders to be creative, serve, and lead diverse learners in their performances. Leaders and diverse learners work together to participate in various low-risk drama activities, and to explore various artistic mediums, such as drama, art, music, film, and others to be shared with the community. Overall, this course aims to reach passionate youth leaders who are looking to showcase their leadership skills by engaging in a creative process to foster youth agency and to advocate for a more diverse learning community. For more information, feel free to reach out to David Beare in the drama office.

 

Drama 12: Directing and Script Development 12

Directing and Script Development 12 students will expand on the skills developed in Drama 10 and Drama 11. Working with peers in scene and monologue performances, students develop their leadership skills to envision, direct, write, and perform live theatre performances. Students enrolled in this course are also required to sign up for an additional work period in order to direct younger peers in a different block. Throughout the school year, students develop their directing, play-developing, and acting skills. The core aim of the course is for student leaders to present their original mainstage play production at Handsworth Theatre.  

Drama 12: Musical Theatre 12

Musical Theatre 10 is an intensive performative and leadership course in which students lead peers to develop teamwork skills, build confidence, and boost creativity while working towards a final production. This course is a further exploration of the dramatic, vocal and movement skills needed to create and share Musical Theatre works. The focus is working collectively as an ensemble towards to a musical production or revue. There will be several optional field trips to professional musical theatre productions, and guest speakers from the industry (actors, singers, directors, or choreographers). Be prepared to sing, dance, and perform at Handsworth Theatre! 

Drama 12: Improvisation 12 

Improvisation 12 is a leadership course, which aims for students to develop leadership skills, as well as to develop teamwork skills, confidence, and creativity. In this course, students lead peers to rely solely on their body and voice, to work as a team, and to act out vivid characters and engaging stories. Students lead drama games, vocal and physical warm ups, and character-development exercises. Students serve as role-models to give and receive positive and constructive feedback, problem solve, and strengthen collaboration and communication skills. Students explore and develop improvisation skills and share and perform non-scripted scenes, and original ensemble creations. Students will have an opportunity to perform presentations at Handsworth Theatre. Everyone is welcome to Improvisation 12.

Theatre Production 12: Tech Team  

Tech 12 students are members and leaders of the Handsworth Theatre Tech Team. Theatre Production 12 is a continuation of Theatre Production 10 and 11. Much of the course will continue to be laboratory in nature, allowing students to develop and to apply the practical skills of stagecraft. Students in this course must be able to work independently on the technical components related to the school productions at Handsworth. Students are required to be available for regular out-of-class and evening rehearsals and performances. The core aim of Theatre Production 12 is for students take on leadership roles, including serving as the head stage manager of their department, and leading the cast and crew through the rehearsal and performance process. Due to the independent, leadership, and time-intensive natures of this course, students who have not taken Theatre Production 10 or 11 are required to meet with the instructor beforehand to register for this course. 

Prerequisite: Interview with the Instructor (See David Beare for an interview).

Drama 12 Leadership With Diverse Learners 12 

The drama program is looking for natural leaders who are interested in working with diverse learners. This is NOT an acting course -- NO drama or acting experience is required. This is a PASSION course for school leaders to be creative, serve, and lead diverse learners in their performances. Leaders and diverse learners work together to participate in various low-risk drama activities, and to explore various artistic mediums, such as drama, art, music, film, and others to be shared with the community. Overall, this course aims to reach passionate youth leaders who are looking to showcase their leadership skills by engaging in a creative process to foster youth agency and to advocate for a more diverse learning community. For more information, feel free to reach out to David Beare in the drama office.